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| − | [[National Approaches to Electrification – Delivery Model|Delivery Model]]<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/>
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| − | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span>[[National Approaches to Electrification – Legal Basis|Legual Basis]]<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> | + | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Legual Basis</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> |
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| − | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span>[[National Approaches to Electrification – Price/Tariff Regulation|Price/Tariff Regulation]]<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> | + | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Price/Tariff Regulation</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> |
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| − | [[National Approaches to Electrification – Finance|Finance]]<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/>
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| − | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span>[[National Approaches to Electrification – Non-Financial Interventions|Non-Financial Interventions]]<span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> | + | <span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Non-Financial Interventions</span><span style="color:#FFFFFF;"></span><br/> |
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| + | Mini-grids are particularly appropriate for relatively densely populated areas with higher demand levels (with off-grid systems providing the best solutions for sparsely populated low-demand areas). For mini-grids to be grid connected they must also be relatively close to the existing grid system. In theory mini-grids should only be the best option where the costs of infrastructure to connect to the grid system out-balance the economies of scale from large-scale centralized generation and pooling demand. Connection to the main grid system allows import and export of electricity and so enables the mini-grid to access these economies of scale and (provided the grid itself is reliable) supports higher levels of quality and reliability – however it also requires construction of connection infrastructure and compliance with grid technical standards. Grid-connected mini-grids can therefore be seen primarily as an alternative to grid extension, with the main differentiator being the ownership and/or management model. If a source of energy for generation exists in an area beyond the extent of the grid, it may provide an opportunity for a mini-grid to be developed to supply local users, and connected to the grid, more quickly than the grid itself would be extended. Management of distribution by the central grid company should provide organisational economies of scale, but in practice separate ownership or management of a local distribution system may increase organisational efficiency and allow an electricity service which is more responsive to users and their needs than that provided by the national grid company. |
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| | + | Grid-connected mini-grids can, in theory, provide any level of electricity supply, but in most cases if the investment is made for grid connection and associated standards are met, they provide a grid-equivalent service, meeting all household, commercial, industrial and community requirements (Tier 5). (If the grid system itself is over-stretched with inadequate generation; or insufficiently robust or poorly maintained transmission and distribution systems reliability and quality of supply may deteriorate so that while users have a physical connection, they may not in fact have reliable access to electricity (bringing the supply Tier 3 or lower). To the extent that a grid-connected mini-grid draws on electricity from the grid its construction should be coupled with development of additional centralized generation capacity to support the resulting additional demand. |
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Grid-connected mini-grids and distribution systems share characteristics with both Grid Extension and Isolated Mini-grids – They are linked to the grid system and are able to import electricity from and export electricity to it, so technically they have more in common with Grid Extension. However, in that they are owned and managed independently they are more similar to Isolated Mini-grids. These differences call for different policy and regulatory approaches, so a separate Technology category has been established.
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Delivery Model
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Grid-connected mini-grids are often privately owned, but may be publically owned or combine both in a public-private partnership. Common models include:
- mini-grids owned by a private developer connected to the main grid;
- A private enterprise installing generation to meet its own power demand building a local distribution system and supply to other local users and the grid;
- A municipality or other local public entity operating a grid connected distribution system;
- A private company, or public-private partnership taking on operation of a section of the grid distribution system as part of a privatisation process.
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Legual Basis
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Larger grid-connected mini-grids will generally require monopoly concessions (because of the substantial investment required to establish and maintain the infrastructure). Even for smaller grid-connected mini-grids, some form of licensing will almost invariably be appropriate to assure investors that they have the right to sell electricity (both to users and the grid), to ensure that technical standards for grid connection are met, and as the means of regulating prices for export and import of electricity from the grid and sale of electricity to users (see price/tariff regulation).
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Price/Tariff Regulation
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Grid connected mini-grids rely on the sale of electricity to the grid, and import of electricity from the grid and its sale to users, as well as sale of own-generated electricity to users. Clarity on how each of these tariffs is set and regulated will be key to securing investment:
- Setting a standard price for purchase of electricity from the grid, or defining what category of user grid-connected mini-grids fall under, and having a transparent process for adjusting these prices (rather than leaving them to be negotiated between individual developers and the grid company) will give investors confidence;
- A standard price for sale of electricity to the grid (a feed-in tariff), based for instance on the grid company’s avoided cost (as in Tanzania) or an expected average cost from a particular form of generation, will similarly reduce mini-grid development costs and risks;
- Regulation of user tariffs for grid-connected mini-grids will be particularly sensitive given that the mini-grid operator may be drawing on the grid system to supply its users. Applying a uniform tariff (particularly a grid-parity) tariff is likely to offer some grid-connected mini-grids super-profits while making others uneconomic, but an approach based on a margin above the price for purchasing electricity from the grid may be appropriate (particularly where the system acts primarily as a means for distributing electricity from the grid and has little own-generation capacity). In general a cost-recovery approach, taking account of system-specific costs and any subsidies is likely to work best, and clarity and transparency of the process will be key for investors.
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Finance
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The primary financing for grid-connected mini-grids will generally align with the delivery model, with publically-owned mini-grids using public finance and privately owned mini-grids drawing on private finance. However, where incomes are lower or system costs higher, some form of public-private partnership is likely to be needed with public funding (eg through grants and subsidies) making electricity from grid-connected mini-grids affordable to users and the mini-grid systems economically sustainable.
User charges are the other main source of funding with connection charges and ongoing tariffs are used to contribute to investment, cover ongoing operating costs and support repayment and return on investment. As with any system supplying multiple users there is likely to be some element of cross-subsidy between users connected to any individual mini-grid system. Cross-subsidy between grid-connected mini-grids or between the main grid and grid-connected systems may be appropriate, particularly if a uniform tariff is applied.
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Non-Financial Interventions
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National energy planning and sharing of market information are key to establishing the planned extent and timescales for grid extension and hence the scope for grid-connected mini-grids. Institutional restructuring, regulatory reform and policy and target-setting may all be required to create the framework for grid-connected mini-grids to be developed and establishment of technical standards is vital for enabling grid-connected mini-grids. Capacity building or technical assistance may be beneficial where potential developers or those (such as municipalities or user cooperatives) expected to take on responsibility distribution system operation lack capabilities. User awareness raising and demand promotion are often essential to increase revenues and make mini-grids economically sustainable.
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